Charlotte continued: “I’d copy your outfits growing up just to be an ounce as cool as you and talk about you nonstop. You were everything I wanted to be and more, the most caring and hilarious person I knew.

“The beacon of any room you entered and I will remember your smile and laugh forever. My soapy soap suds.”

How Love Island cast were told of Sophie Gradon’s shock ‘suicide’

Sophie had been staying at her mum and dad’s house in Northumberland (Image: WENN)

Sophie at Miss Great Britain in 2009 (Image: PA)

Love Island star Sophie died age 32 on Tuesday.

She was discovered by her boyfriend Aaron Armstrong at her mum and dad’s place in Medburn, Northumberland.

She had moved in temporarily to house sit for them while they enjoyed some time away.

But a friend said Sophie had given no sign of feeling depressed or down when she arrived, and appeared to be in “good spirits” despite having spoken out against online bullies just weeks before her death.

At the beginning of the episode, a smiling picture of Sophie flashed up on screens above words that read: “In loving memory of Sophie Gradon.”

A statement from the broadcaster read: “The whole ITV2 and Love Island team are profoundly saddened to hear the news about Sophie, and our deepest sympathies and thoughts go to her family and friends.”

How Love Island cast were told of Sophie Gradon’s shock ‘suicide’

Sophie appeared on the show in 2016 (Image: WENN / ITV2)

The current batch of Islanders were told about Sophie’s death after the latest recoupling, which will be shown on tonight’s show.

After one of the single girls left, the cameras were switched off and the remaining cast mates told to gather round to hear some shocking news.

It’s believed that Ellie Brown , who was a friend of Sophie’s from Newcastle, has decided to remain in the villa.

While the Islanders are supposed to go without contact with the outside world, they are given a day off each week to leave the villa and wander around the local town.

Producers would have been concerned that they may hear rumours or snippets of the news from locals, so may have taken the decision to tell them about Sophie to minimise any confusion or upset.